asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the manner in which he considers that direct elections to the European Parliament should be conducted in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - European Parliament Election.
75.
Article 7 of the draft convention on the holding of elections to the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, which was adopted by the Parliament itself at its plenary session held on 14th January, 1975, provides that the Parliament shall draw up a proposal for a uniform electoral system by 1980 at the latest. Pending entry into force of this uniform electoral system, however, the draft convention provides that the electoral procedure should be governed by the domestic provisions of each member state.
The draft convention in the form of a resolution adopted by the Parliament is now before the Council of the European Communities and in line with the expressed wish of the heads of Government as stated in point 12 of the communiqué issued at the end of their meeting held in Paris on 9th-10th December last, it is hoped that the Council will act on the Parliament's proposals in 1976. Pending full consideration by the Council of the Parliament's proposals, and the possible outcome of consultations between the two institutions on the various provisions contained in the draft convention, it would be premature at this stage for me to make a statement on the manner in which I consider direct elections to the European Parliament should be conducted in this country.
As there will be 13 seats for the Irish delegation, will the Minister not agree that he should decide whether we will have the entire country as one constituency, or whether there should be representation from the different provinces or areas? I assume that proportional representation will be used?
It is not for me to decide matters relating to the domestic organisation of the elections. The Deputy will understand there are wider implications in that. The figure of 13 is contained in a recommendation of Parliament to the Council of Ministers who have not yet considered it, never mind accepted it. It would be premature at this stage to take any decisions until we know what the Council decide. I understand that our committee on EEC secondary legislation are examining this matter and the House will wish to have their views and recommendations before considering the matter further.
Would the Minister consider issuing a White Paper on the matter? 1978 is not far away in the life of the nation.
The question of what action we take must await the decision of the Council to be taken by the end of next year. That gives us 18 months or two years to prepare. Until we know what the Council decide, there is no use in our issuing a White Paper implementing a decision that has not been taken and whose form could differ significantly from the recommendation made by Parliament.
The Irish community as a whole should be given as much opportunity as possible to consider whatever proposals the Government put forward.
I hope that the work being done by the committee on secondary legislation will provoke discussion and debate on the matter. It is a matter that should have wide discussion before a decision is made.
I presume the House will have an opportunity of debating the recommendations of the committee so that all Deputies will have an opportunity of expressing their views?
I take it that arrangements would have to be made if the House wished to debate the report of any committee of the House. I assume that ordinary channels exist for that.
Does the Minister accept that it is desirable that the House should debate the committee's report?
It would be very curious if such an arrangement could not be made, if the House wished to discuss it.
76.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he considers that elections to the European Parliament should be held the same day in all member states; and, if so, whether such an arrangement will affect the prerogative of the Taoiseach to seek a dissolution of the Dáil when he considers it most suitable.
In principle I would see no objections to elections to the European Parliament being held on the same day in all member states provided, of course, that such a date was acceptable to all the member states. The draft convention on direct elections adopted by the Parliament on 14th January, 1975, provides that the first elections to the European Parliament shall be held on the same day in all the member states, and not later than the first Sunday of May, 1978. The draft convention also provides, however, that any member state may decide to hold the elections one day earlier or later than the fixed date or to spread them over two consecutive days including that day. As the Deputy is aware, the draft convention is now before the Council and undoubtedly the question of whether elections to the Parliament should be held on a fixed date or dates in all the member states is one which the Council will consider.
With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question I do not see how the possible holding of elections to the Parliament on the same day in all the member states could in any way affect the constitutional right of the Taoiseach to advise the President to dissolve the Dáil at a time when the Taoiseach considers it most suitable and, accordingly, the answer is "no".